Marcelino Menendez Pelayo

Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo was a Spanish scholar, historian and poet. He was one of the most brilliant and erudite intellectuals of his time. He devoted his life to the study of Spanish literature, culture, history and ideas. He defended the Catholic tradition and the Hispanic identity against the attacks of rationalism, liberalism and modernism. He was born in Santander on 3 November 1856. He showed an extraordinary talent and precocity since his childhood. He learned several languages, read classical and modern authors, and translated Virgil without a dictionary at the age of twelve. He studied literature at the University of Barcelona and the University of Madrid. He obtained his doctorate in 1878 with a thesis on the poet Fernando de Herrera. He became a professor of Spanish literature at the University of Madrid in 1879, after a special law was passed to allow him to teach at the age of 22. He was also elected a member of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1880. He held these positions until his death in 1912. He was also a member of other academies and institutions, such as the Royal Academy of History, the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, the Ateneo de Madrid, etc. He wrote more than 100 books and 500 articles on various topics related to Spanish culture and history. His main works include: Historia de los heterodoxos españoles (1880-1882), a comprehensive history of Spanish heretics and dissenters; Historia de las ideas estéticas en España (1883-1891), a monumental cultural history of Spain; Antología de poetas líricos castellanos (1890-1908), a collection of Castilian poetry from the Middle Ages to the 18th century; Orígenes de la novela (1905-1910), a study of the origins and development of the Spanish novel; and numerous biographies, essays, editions and translations of Spanish and foreign authors. He was a staunch defender of the Catholic faith and the Hispanic tradition. He opposed the secularization and modernization of Spain promoted by the liberal governments. He criticized the rationalist, positivist and historicist philosophies that undermined the Christian worldview. He affirmed the unity and continuity of Spanish culture throughout history. He celebrated the richness and diversity of the Spanish literary heritage. He praised the genius and originality of Spanish writers such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Quevedo, etc. He died in Santander on 19 May 1912 due to heart failure. He was buried in Santander Cathedral, where his monument can still be seen. His legacy is preserved by the Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo International University, which aims to promote research and education in humanistic studies.